Keeping children safe in vehicles with the rising summer temperatures isn’t the only safety concern that parents need to worry about. Checking your child’s car seat, or booster seat, on a routine basis is the best way to prevent any accidents that otherwise, could have been avoided.

Most manufacture’s expiry, or useful life span, is a minimum of six years with some as long as 10. In that time-frame, frequent use and exposure to sunlight can weaken plastic, spills of various substances can get into the webbing, buckles and adjusters, damaging or preventing them from working properly.

Health Canada encourages parents to register new seats with the manufacturer after purchasing, as this is the only way to receive notifications of any safety recalls.

Buying, and selling, second-hand seats is not recommended as the second owner would not receive these updates and has no way of knowing how the seat was cared for prior to their purchase.

Furthermore, child car seats and booster seats must be used within regulations outlined by Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Failure to adhere to the regulations, as well as, the manufacturers instructions, may result in being found guilty of breaking the law for putting your child's safety at risk.

There are however, measures in place to avoid any mishaps related to car seat and booster seat safety. The province has technicians who you are able to book an appointment in your local area. They will go through the child’s seats to ensure all requirements are met and the functionality is tested.

Some towns around West Central Saskatchewan designate times that a technician will be on-site where parents can book appointments to bring their car seats and booster seats down to be checked.

Rosetown will be holding appointments this Wednesday, July 19, from 3-7 pm at the arena. To make an appointment, as walk-ins are not available, please call 306-882-2672 ext. 2286.